Central sewer system studied for Limeport

Lower Milford officials would spend about $1.5 million for facility.

July 12, 2007|By Sarah Fulton Special to The Morning Call -- Freelance

Lower Milford Township is considering spending about $1.5 million to install a central sewage treatment facility in Limeport, where failing septic systems are raising environmental concerns.

About 50 homes and a handful of commercial property owners in the village of Limeport would be required to connect to the system at a minimum cost of $800 a year and $5,000 for the initial hookup.

Supervisors plan to hold a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday detailing the plan to install a central sewer.

The system would be the first central sewer in the township, which has a combination of on-lot sewage systems and septic tanks, Township Manager Ellen Koplin said.

"There are some problems with existing systems," Koplin said. "It's been an ongoing process to come up with an affordable solution for the residents."

Koplin said township supervisors favor a plan to install a recirculating sand filter system estimated to cost about $1.5 million. The township plans to seek a low-interest loan from PennVest, a state agency that grants long-term loans to municipalities making essential infrastructure improvements.

The proposed system would provide sewer service to many old homes with outdated septic systems in an area where water sampling along a tributary to Saucon Creek has indicated the existence of sewage leaks. Specific testing data was not available.

"It's a very old village," Koplin said. "Some of those homes are probably 150 years old."

The system would have capacity for 100 equivalent dwelling units, or EDUs. Each EDU is equivalent to one household. Restaurants and stores are typically allotted more than one EDU of plant capacity because of the potential for higher sewer use. Koplin said about 69 EDUs would be immediately allotted to homeowners, apartment buildings and commercial properties in Limeport. Another 31 EDUs of capacity would remain available for future use of the sewage plant.

Township officials estimate that property owners connecting to the sewer will have to pay roughly a $5,000 tap-in fee and a minimum $800 a year, or $200 a quarter, for sewer service.

Residents are urged to attend the hearing Tuesday or provide comments on the plan within 30 days following the session. The state Department of Environmental Protection requires a public hearing since the new system would require the township to update its Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan.

The recirculating sand filter sewer system has not formally been approved by the supervisors. Koplin said supervisors likely will vote on the plan at their meeting at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16.

The township must then submit its updated plan to the DEP for review and approval. If approved, the township may begin soliciting bids for the project.

Sarah Fulton is a freelance writer. PUBLIC HEARING DETAILS What: Lower Milford Township supervisors will hold a public hearing on a proposal to install a central sewage treatment facility in Limeport.